Non AZA zoos with lions

This is obviously not a full list, but both York's Wild Kingdom and Southwicks Zoo keep lions. They really aren't that rare in the private trade. Also Big Cat Rescue in FL.

Big Cat Rescue is GFAS accredited. But otherwise, you're right, a lot of zoos, sanctuaries, and other facilities have lions and it probably be hard to name every non-AZA/GFAS accredited one. Only 240 zoos are accredited by the AZA. For the GFAS, over 150 sanctuaries are accredited and an unspecified number are verified. (according to their FAQ, accredited facilities are those that meet a higher standard) That's really only a small percentage of zoos and sanctuaries respectively.

Animal World & Snake Farm Zoo in New Braunfels, Texas has white lions. I think the Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas has lions and I don't think they're AZA accredited. Not sure if they would count as a zoo, though. There are a couple of Six Flags parks with lions and other animals, though again, I wouldn't really count them as a zoo. That's just off the top of my head. And I imagine that most zoos accredited by the ZAA aren't accredited by the AZA too. (though the Fort Worth Zoo at least has both)
 
Back
Top